Review + Giveaway! The Woman in the White Kimono

May 28, 2019 Jordan Fiction, Reading 30

picture of the woman in the white kimono ion a white background

By Ana Johns
Park Row, 2019
352 pages

Publisher’s Description:

Japan, 1957. Seventeen-year-old Naoko Nakamura’s prearranged marriage to the son of her father’s business associate would secure her family’s status in their traditional Japanese community, but Naoko has fallen for another man—an American sailor, a gaijin—and to marry him would bring great shame upon her entire family. When it’s learned Naoko carries the sailor’s child, she’s cast out in disgrace and forced to make unimaginable choices with consequences that will ripple across generations.

America, present day. Tori Kovac, caring for her dying father, finds a letter containing a shocking revelation—one that calls into question everything she understood about him, her family and herself. Setting out to learn the truth behind the letter, Tori’s journey leads her halfway around the world to a remote seaside village in Japan, where she must confront the demons of the past to pave a way for redemption.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I might make some fancy coffee money at no extra expense to you if you buy something through one of my links. Read more about that here. 

Thanks to TLC Book Tours for the complimentary copy of The Woman in the White Kimono. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

the woman in the white kimono book cover

Historical fiction has always been my sweet spot, so when the opportunity to read and review The Woman in the White Kimono came across my desk I jumped at the chance. Japanese history is not something I can claim to be at all familiar with, so I was excited to learn something new and I definitely did learn about Japanese culture and tradition in this immersive novel.

The Woman in the White Kimono switches perspectives back and forth between Naoko in 1957 Japan and Tori Kovac in present day America. From the beginning you understand that there is a link between these two women through Tori’s father, but I have to say I was surprised to discover what the relationship actually was. I was pleased that it didn’t turn out the way I expected. Even though it doesn’t have what we would all probably consider a ‘happy ending’ it does have enough closure that it feels right.

Other split-time novels you might enjoy: The Lost Castle and The Love Letter

I truly loved this book for it’s complexity. There’s so much heartache and sadness, but still there was this sense of hope that keeps you from sinking into the darkness of a really terrible situation. Naoko’s character is such a strong woman and her persistence is truly admirable. She makes the best of every circumstance she finds herself in and fights for her life and that of her child. If you like strong heroines then you will likely find The Woman in the White Kimono to be very enjoyable.

And now for the exciting part! TLC Book Tours has graciously provided an extra copy for me to give away to one of you awesome readers! If you’d like to receive a copy The Woman in the White Kimono for your own collection just leave a comment on this post answering the question “What was the last great historical novel you read?”

You have until 11:59pm EST on June 2nd, 2019 to comment and get your name in the hat, and I’ll be selecting a *winner* on the 3rd. If you win you’ll get an email from me that day so I can get an address to send your goodie to! Good luck and thanks for reading!

*US winners only due to shipping restrictions.*

30 Comments

  3. I was blown away by Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin! It’s about German occupancy in Paris and particularly the Ritz hotel and other luxury hotels in the city and how the managers of these hotels used this to their advantage to help the residence! It’s amazing!

  4. The last one I read was probably Pachinko. It was not at all what I expected but I loved it!

    • I’ve heard of that book but didn’t realize it was historical fiction! I don’t know what I thought it was about actually, ha ha.

  6. The last historical fiction novel I read was The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams. Not deep, but an interesting look at that time period and how people viewed things!

  9. I have been looking for a good book to add for my summer reading. I need to grab this one. Telling my Mother in law about it because she loves learning about Japanese Culture.

  13. My favorite book of all time is Gone With the Wind. I also love the North and South series and Little Women. When I was a kid, I read all of the Laura Ingles Wilder books. Reading stories has always been my favorite way to learn about different periods in history.

  14. Hmm.. I think the last historical one I’ve read was The Last Ballad by Wiley Cash, which I enjoyed a lot.

    This sounds like a great book, especially anyone who loves a strong female character. Thank you for being on this tour! Sara @ TLC Book Tours

  15. It’s been months since I picked up a historical novel. I think the last was The Winter Sea by Susannah Kearsley. I love books set in Scotland (favorite place on earth) and this one fit the bill for both categories.

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